How can learning mobility of young people increase their

Transcription

How can learning mobility of young people increase their
 How can learning mobility of young
people increase their employability?
Overview of relevant European studies and findings on learning mobility
projects and how they can enhance young people’s employability.
April 2015
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3
The concepts of learning mobility and employability ....................................... 4
The competences gained during a learning mobility experience .................... 5
In numbers: higher education, vocational education, mobility and
employability ........................................................................................................... 9
Databases of European and International Mobility Opportunities ............... 14
European Mobility Programmes ........................................................................................... 15
International Mobility Programmes ..................................................................................... 16
European Internship Programmes ....................................................................................... 16
International Internship Programmes ................................................................................. 17
European Traineeship Programmes..................................................................................... 18
International traineeship Programmes ............................................................................... 20
European training Programmes............................................................................................ 21
Resources .............................................................................................................. 22
Further reading ..................................................................................................... 23
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Introduction
Eurodesk is a network of 34 countries operating with 1,200 multipliers and informing young people about
opportunities to be mobile in Europe and to be an active citizen. As a support organisation to Erasmus+,
Eurodesk makes youth information on learning mobility comprehensive and accessible to those who work
with young people.
This compilation of studies and resources about non-formal learning mobility projects aims to present
evidence of how mobility can enhance young people’s employability.
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The concepts of learning mobility and employability
Learning mobility can be defined as transnational mobility for the purpose of acquiring new knowledge,
skills and competences (European Commission, 2011), such as educational exchanges, volunteering
projects, international language courses and non-formal learning projects.
Employability is a combination of factors, which enable individuals to progress towards or enter
employment, to stay in employment and to progress throughout their careers (Council of Europe).
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The competences gained during a learning mobility
experience
The following documentation analyses the different competences gained during formal and informal
learning mobility.
The Education and Training Monitor 2014 (European Commission 2014)
An annual series that reports on the evolution of education and training systems across Europe, bringing
together the latest quantitative and qualitative data, recent technical reports and studies, plus policy
documents and developments.
- Language competences contribute to mobility and employability of European citizens and facilitate
intercultural dialogue.
- Governments and higher education institutions (HEIs) can implement policies to prepare students better
for the transition from education to work, including through better guidance and career counselling, a
greater focus on skills development as part of all third-level programmes, increased opportunities for
gaining quality work experience and promoting international learning mobility as a means to acquire
relevant skills and experience.
http://ec.europa.eu/education/library/publications/monitor14_en.pdf
Learning mobility and non-formal learning in European contexts: Policies, approaches and examples
(Council of Europe and European Commission 2013)
Mobility is considered to be important for the personal development and employability of young people, as
well as for intercultural dialogue, participation and active citizenship. Learning mobility in the youth field
focuses on non-formal learning as a relevant part of youth work, with links to informal learning as well as
to formal education. Different stakeholders at European level, particularly the Council of Europe and the
European Commission, but also individual Member States, foster programmes and strategies to enhance
the mobility of young people, and particularly the learning dimension in mobility schemes. The publication is
a joint Council of Europe and European Commission publication. It provides texts of an academic, scientific,
political and practical nature for all stakeholders in the youth field, youth leaders and youth workers, policy
makers, researchers and so on. It should contribute to dialogue and co-operation between relevant players
and to discussion on the further development and purpose of youth mobility schemes and their outcomes
for young people.
http://bit.ly/1yYEBq8
The Impact of Non-Formal Education in youth organisations on Young People’s Employability (European
Youth Forum 2013)
The European Youth Forum Study provides evidence of the need for more political and financial investment
in youth organisations to ensure that they can deliver quality Non-Formal Education to more young people,
thus providing more needed skills to more young people and ensuring a better access to the labour market.
Through consultation with 245 youth organisations, a survey with over 1,300 young people, desk research
and focus groups with employers from across Europe, this research assesses whether the competences
and skills obtained through non-formal education in youth organisations contribute to the employability of
young people. It concludes that long-lasting and frequent engagement and participation in youth
organisations brings high soft-skills development. Amongst the six skills mostly demanded by employers,
five are also among those developed through involvement in youth organisations: such as communication,
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team work, decision-making, organisational skills and self-confidence. For young people who participated
in non-formal education activities abroad, this includes also higher development of language, intercultural
and leadership skills. The study also proofs that experience in youth organisation and the skills this
develops are valued by employers especially when young people have no – or very little – formal working
experience, thus making the work of youth organisation an important contribution to the transition of
young people from education to the labour market. The participation in youth organisation is particularly
valuable in developing social capital (network and connections) and in creating new vocation paths,
especially for NEETs, early school leavers and young migrants.
Full report: http://issuu.com/yomag/docs/reportnfe_print
Executive summary: http://issuu.com/yomag/docs/nfe_employabilitystudy-executivesummary
Does student mobility during higher education pay? Evidence from 16 European countries (European
Commission- Joint Research Centre 2013)
The Joint Research Centre used data from 16 European countries to study the effects of student mobility
during higher education on future mobility, on the transition from education to employment and on hourly
earnings five years after graduation. It controlled for several important pre-determined individual
characteristics and proxies for ability, motivation and initiative that are likely to be correlated with both the
mobility decision and the outcomes. The findings point to a positive association between mobility and
future mobility and earnings, while the transition to employment seems to be slightly delayed. While the
effects on future mobility are found in all countries and fields of education, the ones related to the labour
market are only found in few of them. The study also discusses and presents evidence on possible
mechanisms.
https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/sites/default/files/jrc_report_mrodrigues_student_mobility_final.pdf
Do Study Abroad Programs Enhance the Employability of Graduates? (Giorgio Di Pietro 2013)
This study based on data from recent Italian graduates investigates the impact of international educational
mobility schemes on the employability of graduates. It concludes that studying abroad has a relatively large
and statistically meaningful effect on the probability of being in employment 3 years after graduation.
http://ftp.iza.org/dp7675.pdf
Eurobarometer: The experience of traineeships in the EU (European Commission 2013)
According to the Eurobarometer survey on the quality of traineeships in the EU, a significant number of
trainees feel that their working conditions could be improved and that the learning content of their
traineeship is insufficient. Even if the majority of trainees consider their experience useful, the survey
shows that almost one in three traineeships is dissatisfactory with regard to working conditions or learning
content. An analysis based on the Eurobarometer results found a significant correlation between the quality
of traineeships and the employment outcome. In other words, those that had completed a substandard
traineeship were significantly less likely to find a job afterwards.
Respondents who have had a traineeship abroad improved their language skills (79%). Furthermore,
approximately seven in ten respondents reported that the experience had made them consider living
abroad (69%).
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/flash_arch_390_375_en.htm#378
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_378_en.pdf
Employability of International Graduates Educated in Finnish Higher Education Institutions (Higher
Education Group School of Management University of Tampere- 2011-2012)
The report presents the employment situation of international graduates, post-graduation mobility trends,
the challenges and experiences of transition from higher education to the world of work along with
employers’ views on hiring and working with international graduates. It also discovers the factors affecting
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the employment of international graduates and explores the relevance of the skills gained in the course of
studies for the world of work as perceived by international graduates and their employers. The differences
of employment experiences between graduates of different nationalities, gender, age groups, disciplinary
background and type of institution were highlighted throughout the report. In the end it elicits
recommendations on how Finnish HEIs can raise their profiles internationally and enhance the
employability of international graduates. According to the study, international graduates were considered
to be flexible, highly adaptive and in possession of good intercultural skills owing to their experience of
living and studying away from home. Apart from developing their subject-specific skills and competences,
international students have three main ways of developing their human resource potential and
consequently becoming more employable: 1) through internship opportunities or other work experience, 2)
through study abroad experience, and 3) through Finnish language studies.
Employers value the flexibility and high level of adaptability of international graduates, and this can be
attributed to the fact that they study away from home. Their intercultural skills and the knowledge of a
foreign language were considered to be an asset, especially in companies with international operations
(China, India and Russia being among the primary target markets). Therefore, even though additional
studies abroad can add even more value to these graduates, it might be better for international students in
Finland to focus on learning the Finnish language in case they want to stay in Finland.
http://www.helsinki.fi/urapalvelut/valoasurvey/pubData/source/VALOA09.pdf
Salto Booklet: Working on Work (2010)
A booklet on how to understand youth unemployment and use Youth in Action projects as tools to support
the access of young people with fewer opportunities into the labour market. Youth mobility and non-formal
learning programme of the European Community “Youth in action”, together with other measures and
programmes, has proved to be a very valuable tool for the employment of youth. Participating in Youth in
Action allows young people to develop their social and professional competences and their
entrepreneurship capacities. By doing so, young jobseekers can raise their potential to effectively enter and
stay active in the labour market, but can also take an active role in society in general.
https://www.salto-youth.net/downloads/4-17-1948/WorkingOnWork.pdf
Faktaa – Facts and Figures - Hidden Competences (Centre for International Mobility 2014)
The study examines how employers rate the skills and knowledge acquired through international
experiences. The research suggests, like many other studies, that transnational learning mobility produces
the kind of competences that labour market needs to face future challenges successfully. However, the
research also points out that in recruitment the employers often seem to be incapable of recognising these
competences. They are not able to make the connection between learning mobility and the actual skills
they need for their business or workplaces to flourish. For this reason, even ‘international’ employers are
not able to give the necessary credit to competences acquired through international experiences in their
recruitment processes. And those employers who do not operate internationally in the traditional sense, do
not at all, or very little see the benefit of these competences. Most importantly, the report concludes that
the outcomes of the learning mobility should be made more visible. To this end, the understanding of what
international competencies are, how they are portrayed and identified should be re-examined.
The research proposes to talk more about the broader learning outcomes resulting from learning mobility
instead of the more traditional competences such as language skills, intercultural competences or
tolerance. This wider concept encompasses other attributes such as productivity, resilience and curiosity. In
particular curiosity seems to be an attribute that merits further attention. Key findings of the research
project include that while students estimate international experiences useful in their future work life,
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employers don't emphasise international competences in recruitment. At the same time, global trends
change most industries and job descriptions highlighting the need for global knowhow across society.
http://bit.ly/1FGgAcg
http://bit.ly/1old8Pg
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In numbers: higher education, vocational education,
mobility and employability
The following documents are a closer analysis from European and International researches on the links
between higher education, vocational education; mobility and employability.
Erasmus Impact Study (European Commission 2014)
According to this study, that measures the impact of the Erasmus exchange programme on the
employability and skills of students, young people who study or train abroad not only gain knowledge in
specific disciplines, but also strengthen key transversal skills which are highly valued by employers. The
study shows that graduates with international experience fare much better on the job market. They are half
as likely to experience long-term unemployment compared with those who have not studied or trained
abroad and, five years after graduation, their unemployment rate is 23% lower. The study, compiled by
independent experts, is the largest of its kind and received feedback from nearly 80 000 respondents
including students and businesses.
The study key findings for employability and skills are the following:
- Enhancing their employability is increasingly important for Erasmus students
- Top motivations to study or train abroad (have not changed from recent years): the opportunity to live
abroad and meet new people, improve foreign language proficiency, develop transversal skills, the wish to
enhance employability abroad (more than 85%).
Transversal skills important to employers are also the skills improved during an Erasmus period abroad. On
average, Erasmus students have better employability skills after a stay abroad than 70% of all students.
Based on their personality traits, they have a better predisposition for employability even before going
abroad. By the time they return they have increased their advantage by 42% on average. 81% of Erasmus
students perceive an improvement in their transversal skills when they come back. 52% show higher memo
factors.
The share of employers who considered experience abroad to be important for employability also nearly
doubled between 2006 and 2013 from 37% to 64%.
Once they had gone abroad, mobile students also increased their advantage on the memo values over the
non-mobile students by 118% for all mobile students and 42% for Erasmus students. More than 90% of the
students reported an improvement in their soft skills, such as knowledge of other countries, their ability to
interact and work with individuals from different cultures, adaptability, foreign language proficiency and
communication skills.
On average, 92% of employers are looking for transversal skills, on top of knowledge in their field (91%) and
relevant work experience (78%). 64% of employers consider an international experience as important for
recruitment. 92% of employers are looking for transversal skills, such as openness to and curiosity about
new challenges, problem-solving and decision-making skills, confidence, tolerance towards other personal
values and behaviours.
Erasmus students are in a better position to find their first job and to enhance their career development.
More than 1 in 3 Erasmus students who did a job placement abroad were hired or offered a position by
their host company. Almost 1 in 10 former mobile students who did a job placement abroad has started
their own company. More than 3 out of 4 plan to or can envisage setting up their own company. Former
Erasmus students are more than twice likely to switch employer. Employability and competences of
students greatly benefit from mobility, often more than what they had expected, but sometimes less than
they might have thought. 64% of questioned employers report that graduates with an international
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background are given greater professional responsibility more frequently, a proportion that has increased
by 51% since 2006.
http://ec.europa.eu/education/library/study/2014/erasmus-impact_en.pdf
Erasmus Mundus Graduate Impact Survey (European Commission 2014)
Overall, 80% of graduates were satisfied with the quality of the courses offered through Erasmus Mundus.
However, graduates felt that contacts with potential employers, as well as practical experiences on the
course, were lacking: 67% of participants found the links to employment to be too weak. The survey reveals
that Erasmus Mundus graduates are very well regarded on the job market. In 2014, 65% of graduates had
found a job by the time the survey was issued, with over 55% having found one in less than two months
after graduating. Overall, graduates were very satisfied with their studies when finding a job, with three out
of four graduates, over 76%, feeling themselves prepared for their field of work. Those that did not find a job
claimed this was because there was no suitable job on the market, or they failed to find a job suited to their
interest.
The survey shows that visibility of the Erasmus Mundus programme could be improved. A relatively high
proportion of participants rate the programme as more or less unknown. The results vary depending on the
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different regions of the world: while participants in the Americas consider Erasmus Mundus Masters
Courses (EMMC) to be almost unknown in their region, the programme has more visibility in Asia and Africa.
As in earlier surveys, a large number of candidates found out about EMMC through the internet. However,
the survey reveals that institutions have become more important as a source of first information. The
conclusions drawn are twofold: first, a greater internet presence through increased online promotion would
certainly improve the visibility of the programme, particularly in those regions where Erasmus Mundus is
less visible. Second, universities and other higher education institutions should be encouraged to play a
greater role in actively promoting EMMC. Improving the visibility of Erasmus Mundus would also contribute
towards improving the programme's overall reputation.
http://www.em-a.eu/fileadmin/content/GIS/Graduate_Impact_Survey_2014.pdf
Annual Erasmus statistics 2012-2013 (European Commission 2014)
Almost 270 000 students benefitted from EU grants to study or train in 2012-2013, according to the latest
Erasmus statistics unveiled by the European Commission. While studying at another university continues to
be the most popular choice, one in five students (55 000) opted for Erasmus job placements in companies.
The three most popular destinations for Erasmus students in 2012-2013 were Spain, Germany and France.
Countries sending the highest number of students as a proportion of their graduate population were
Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Finland, Latvia and Spain. Social sciences, business studies and law were the
most popular subject areas (41%), followed by humanities and arts (22%), then engineering, manufacturing
and construction (16%). The statistics show that the average Erasmus grant, designed to cover part of the
costs of living abroad and travel, was €272 per month, a 9% increase on the previous year (€250). The grant
is topped up in some countries by national, regional or institutional funds. Erasmus is not just an exchange
scheme for students: in 2012-2013 more than 52 600 academic and administrative staff received funding
from Erasmus to teach or train abroad. Some 500 staff from businesses, an increase of more than 20%
from the previous year, also received Erasmus support to teach at higher education institutions abroad,
highlighting the growing interest in aligning education and training to the needs of the labour market.
Student mobility contributes to individuals’ personal development and equips them with a wide range of
competences and skills that are increasingly valued by employers. Students do not only improve their
foreign language skills and develop greater intercultural awareness, they also become much more able to
quickly adapt to changes and new situations, solve problems, work in teams, think critically and
communicate more efficiently. Furthermore, the risk of long-term unemployment is half or even less for
mobile students compared to those who stay at home. Mobility boosts job prospects and encourages
labour market mobility later in life.
http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/statistics_en.htm
Demand for Study Overseas by American Students and Employers (J. Walter Thompson Education for the
Institute of International Education, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the British Council,
the Australian Education Office, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. State Department)
An analysis of how future employment considerations are likely to impact students' decisions to study
overseas and employers' perceptions of candidates with overseas qualifications. Addressing the issue of
how to encourage more American students to study overseas was the objective of this research project.
The objective of this study was to determine the employer acceptability and market value of an
international degree among US audiences specifically students and employers. To achieve this, the study
explored such topics as:
- Do US students with an international qualification find it difficult to obtain employment when they
return to the US?
- Are there real or perceived problems with employer recognition and acceptability of an overseas
qualification?
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-
Do employers value overseas experience in prospective employers and if so why (what do they
perceive to be its value) and to what degree?
- Is this reflected in their recruitment policies?
- The obstacles to overseas study from both audiences' perspectives
The study revealed a significant opportunity to really build the awareness, profile and reputation of
studying overseas among key target audiences – prospective students and employers. The findings
showed that employers most important selection criteria in recruiting a candidate are interpersonal skills,
and when questioned employers believe that these skills are likely to be strong in a candidate who has had
an overseas education experience. The challenge really is to more effectively link and promote this
connection. Currently, very few employers specifically recruit candidates with an overseas study
experience, unless they require either cross cultural skills or a job specifically requires it. The research
revealed a real need to strongly promote the link between those interpersonal attributes that employers
find so desirable and their acquisition
through an international study experience.
http://bit.ly/1HxvKTi
Exchange, employment and added value (Erasmus Student Network Survey 2011)
According to the Erasmus Student Network survey, more than 97% of all respondents consider having
studied abroad an advantage on the job market. Students who studied abroad evaluate many professional
and study related skills consistently higher than the peer group without a mobility experience. Most
notably, students with study abroad experience rate their foreign language skills and ability to work in an
intercultural environment much higher than their counterparts with no study abroad experience. Studying
abroad helps widening individual career opportunities by enlarging networks, improving knowledge of
foreign languages and boosting self-confidence.
https://esn.org/ESNSurvey/2011
Creating Ideas, Opportunities and Identity (Erasmus Student Network Survey 2013)
The survey investigates the employability of mobile and non-mobile students and shows the beneficial
effects of going abroad. The survey inquires in which ways studying or working abroad plays a role in
creating ideas, opportunities and identity for young Europeans. The report highlights how acquiring new
marketable ideas abroad may spur entrepreneurship and how opportunities such as building an
international network may have positive effects on employability and entrepreneurship. Mobile students
are more probable to live outside their home region than non-mobile students. Mobile students are more of
searching for jobs in languages other than their mother tongue or English. Mobile students have a more
specific idea about their career’s development. Also, they see themselves in comparatively higher positions
than students without mobility experience. Students with exchange experience appreciate working in an
international environment, the possibility to travel and ability to work independently more than those
without. Students who have been (or are planning to go) abroad are more engaged in social activities, open
to meet new people and having a bigger circle of friends than those who are not planning to do so. More
than 50% of the young Europeans surveyed could imagine setting up their own business, 2% of respondents
have introduced a product encountered during their stay abroad on their home countries’ markets and 22%
are thinking of doing so. However, despite having come across such a product or idea, one third of
respondents do not plan to turn it into a business opportunity. Their biggest obstacle: lack of starting
capital. Mobile and future mobile students feel more cosmopolitan and European compared to non-mobile
students. Mobile and future mobile students are better informed about the EU and more interested in
international and European politics than non-mobile students.
https://esn.org/ESNSurvey/2013
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Analysis of the Effects of LEONARDO DA VINCI Mobility Measures on Young Trainees, Employees and the
Influence of Socio-economic Factors
Participation in projects financed by the Leonardo Da Vinci vocational training programme brings
substantial social and economic benefits, a recent study funded by the European Commission has shown. It
demonstrates that international mobility of this kind is a strong incentive for personal, linguistic, social and
professional development. The Leonardo da Vinci programme focuses on the teaching and training needs of
those involved in vocational education and training. It bolsters the competitiveness of the European labour
market by helping EU citizens to acquire new skills, knowledge and qualifications in European countries. It is
part of the Commission's flagship funding programme in education and training, the Lifelong Learning
Programme. http://bit.ly/1yY24gI
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Databases of European and International Mobility
Opportunities
Eurodesk Deadline Reminder
This tool lists application deadlines, which are coming up in the next three months, for European and
international programmes in the Eurodesk database.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder
Eurodesk Last Minute Offers
The Eurodesk Last Minute Offers (LMO) website is a free European multilingual database dedicated to the
promotion of international learning mobility projects for young people directly in their language. LMO is
based on a sending-hosting organisation system that provides a safe environment for young people to take
part in international projects.
http://lastminute.eurodesk.eu
Database of Volunteering Opportunities
The database lists multi-national volunteering opportunities and gives details of the type of projects,
organisations in charge, deadlines to apply, period of the activities taking place and much more.
http://europa.eu/youth/vp/opportunity_list_en
Database of European Voluntary Service Accredited Organisations
The database lists the organisations accredited to run projects under the European Voluntary Service, part
of the European Union's Erasmus+ programme. Some organisations may not show their contact details
because they have no EVS projects at present.
http://europa.eu/youth/evs_database_en
ErasmusIntern.org
Launched by the Erasmus Student Network, the platform is the meeting place for trainees and traineeships.
Here students that would like to do a traineeship abroad can have their profiles online, search for
traineeships and apply for them. On the other hand, companies and organisations that are offering
traineeships can post for free their vacancies, search for trainees and see if the applications they received
are suitable for the position that they have opened.
http://erasmusintern.org
Drop’pin@EURES
Drop’pin is a new project from the European Commission that aims to connect young people with
opportunities to boost their employability and skills across Europe. With apprenticeships, traineeships,
training programmes, e-learning courses, language training, mentoring and coaching schemes, as well as
various social services (e.g. help with housing), in a range of sectors.
https://ec.europa.eu/eures/droppin
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European Mobility Programmes
European programmes supporting young people to undertake education or work placement in another
country.
Erasmus+ 2014-2020
The Commission has a long record of promoting and supporting learning mobility across Europe as another
way to help individuals gain valuable skills and experience to improve their subsequent employment
prospects. The Erasmus+ programme allows for a much larger pool of students to benefit from an EU grant
to cross borders and attend education programmes or undertake work placements in another country.
http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus
EaSI-EURES: Your first EURES job - Targeted mobility scheme
This initiative helps young people find a job in another EU country matching jobseekers’ skills with the
employers’ offers and offering support and funding.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000504
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
The programme enables young European entrepreneurs to spend up to six months working with an
experienced entrepreneur in another EU country to learn how to improve the management and growth of
their own business.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000401 http://www.erasmusentrepreneurs.eu/upload/Erasmus%20Entrepreneurs%20Anniversary%20Brochure.pdf
VIE - Volontariat en Entreprise
French International Internship Programme for young professionals between the age of 18 and 28 who are
European Union and European Economic Area nationals: EU + Norway, Iceland, Monaco and Lichtenstein.
Mainly intended for students, recent graduates or those looking for a job, the programme offers a highlyrewarding professional experience, a real springboard for an international career. The VIE is dedicated to all
professions: financial, marketing, international business and trade, corporate auditing, accounting,
mechanics, electronics, telecommunications, I.T., construction and civil engineering, agronomy, tourism,
law, human resources, and many more. International Internship is not voluntary work. VIE are paid an allinclusive monthly expenses allowance, which varies depending on the assignment country, but regardless
of the level of qualification.
https://www.civiweb.com/international/EN/index.aspx
Eurodyssee
Exchange programme of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), which allows young job seekers, aged
between 18 and 30 to benefit from a traineeship placement abroad for a period between three to seven
months.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000009
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AEGEE Summer University
Learn a foreign language and experience another culture in Europe
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000217
International Mobility Programmes
International programmes supporting young people to undertake education or work placement in another
country
Youth For Understanding (YFU) - International Exchange
Opportunities for young people around the world to spend a summer, semester or year with a host family in
another culture. Young people will have the opportunity to explore other countries and cultures, master
new languages, and discover themselves.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000384
AFS Intercultural Programmes
Intercultural learning for students, volunteers or educators by living as a resident of a community in Africa,
Latin-America, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia or Europe.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000276
World Bank Youth Professionals Programme
Opportunity for young people who have both a passion for international development and the potential to
become future global leaders.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000461
European Internship Programmes
Internships at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
Once a year, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) offers paid internships for a period of minimum
three and a maximum of twelve months to young graduates. It aims at providing trainees with work
experience in the administration of co-operation in the field of fundamental rights at the European level in
order to gain an insight into FRA's objectives and activities.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000374
Internships at the European Council on Refugees and Exiles
Eleven months internships in Brussels within the Information, Legal, Advocacy and Policy projects of ECRE.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000244
Internships at the European Foundation Centre
Paid internship to assist the European Foundation Centre in Brussels, which aims to promote the work of
foundations and corporate funders in and with Europe.
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http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000243
International Internship Programmes
Internship programme at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
This internship programme is aimed at graduate students and is intended to increase the intern's
understanding of current human rights issues at the international level.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000150 Internship Programme at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Traineeships for a limited number of people which last between two and six months and takes place
throughout the year.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000223
Internships at the World Bank
Internships for young people interested to learn more about the economic and social issues that affect
people's lives around the world.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000263
Internships at UNESCO
Students, researchers and national civil servants can apply for unpaid internships of 1 to 4 months at the
UNESCO headquarters.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000285
UNICEF Internship programme
For graduate and post-graduate students at both UNICEF headquarters and country offices, for a period of
six to 16 weeks. Find information about eligibility criteria and a PDF application form to download.
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_internship.html
Internship programme of the United Nations Secretariat in New York
Find out about this programme for graduate and post-graduate students.The website provides detailed
information about eligibility criteria, the application procedure, internship conditions and visa requirements.
http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/sds/internsh/index.htm
InternshipUSA
Looking to gain professional experience in the USA? You can participate in a training program with a US
company in a position related to your field of study. Use this site to research employers in your industry and
learn about taxes, health, safety and how to write an American style resume.
Find out what past participants have to say about the programmes.
http://www.ciee.org/intern
United Nations University: Internships Portal
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A central portal providing visitors with an easy roadmap to the various internship opportunities currently
advertised across the UNU system. The United Nations University offers a number of internship
opportunities to postgraduate students and young professionals from a wide range of disciplines.
http://unu.edu/administration/hr/internships
European Traineeship Programmes
Traineeship at CEDEFOP
CEDEFOP offers one nine-month period of in-service training (stage) for young university graduates but
also to PhD students, without excluding those who "in the framework of lifelong learning" have recently
obtained a university diploma and are at the beginning of a new professional career. The training period
involves work experience in one of the departments of CEDEFOP and runs from 1st October to end of June
each year. http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000219
Traineeship at the Council of the European Union
In-service training periods for university students and graduates and employees in the public or private
sector. http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000021
Traineeship at the Court of Justice
Limited number of paid traineeships of a maximum duration of five months.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000180
Traineeship at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
ECDC offers university graduates twice a year traineeships for a period of three to nine months.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000389
Traineeship at the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
EMSA offers paid traineeships for a period of at least 3 months and a maximum of 5 months.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000387
Traineeship at the European Medicines Agency
In-service training programme for a maximum of twelve months, to acquire practical knowledge in one of
the EMEA's Units.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000382
Traineeship at the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO)
FMO offers ten months-traineeships to nationals of the EU Member States and nationals of the EFTA
Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000559
Traineeship at the Joint Research Centre
Traineeships for young trainees who wish to acquire scientific work experience, and to put into practice the
scientific knowledge they have obtained during their studies or professional careers.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000280
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Traineeship European Railway Agency (ERA)
Traineeships aim to give an understanding of the Agency and its role within the activities of the European
Union. http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000443
Traineeships and Fellowships at the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML)
The ECML recruits trainees twice a year for a training period of six months.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000192
Traineeships and student summer jobs at the European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank offers summer jobs to students and internships to university graduates.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000181
Traineeships and Study Visits at the European Parliament
The European Parliament offers paid or unpaid traineeships within its Secretariat in order to contribute to
the vocational training of young citizens, and to the understanding of the working of the institution.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000004
Traineeships at the Committee of the Regions (CoR)
CoR organises five month Traineeship and Short-term study visits for young citizens, from Europe and
elsewhere, offering them the opportunity to acquire work experience in a European institution.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000020
Traineeships at the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe offers two traineeship sessions each year, lasting from eight weeks to five months.
Traineeships take place in March/July and September/January.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000091
Traineeships at the Court of Auditors
Paid or unpaid in-service training periods for a maximum period of five months.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000212
Traineeships at the Economic and Social Committee
In-service training periods of long and short duration.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000152
Traineeships at the European Central Bank
Internships to postgraduate and law students.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000286
Traineeships at the European Commission - Administrative in - service training periods
Five month training periods for university graduates and employees in the public or private sector.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000072
Traineeships at the European Commission - Translation traineeships
Three to five months traineeships are available for graduates who wish to have in-house professional
translation experience.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000090
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Traineeships at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
All year round periods of in-service training for citizens of EU Member States and acceding countries.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000586
Traineeships at the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Condition
Work experience in the Foundation's departments throughout the year for a period of three to five months.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000220
Traineeships at the European Ombudsman
The European Ombudsman offers traineeships relevant to its work.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000147
Traineeships at the European Parliament for people with disabilities
Paid traineeships for a period of five months to people with a disability. These traineeships are open both to
graduates of universities or equivalent institutions and to people whose qualifications are below university
level.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000345
Translation Traineeships at the European Parliament for university graduates
Paid or unpaid language traineeships within the EP Secretariat in order to contribute to the vocational
training of young citizens, and to the understanding of the working of the institution.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000178
Traineeships at the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe
Unpaid traineeships from one to three-month periods for persons who have completed their higher
education or have successfully completed at least three years of university study (six semesters).
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000352
Traineeships for young professionals at the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) Trademarks and Designs
Traineeships for young university professionals to provide them with a first-hand experience of the work of
the European Union (EU) and the chance to participate in intellectual property administration.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000234
Traineeships at the Translation Centre for Bodies of the EU
Traineeships for university graduates from the Member States of the European Union and for a number of
nationals from applicant countries who wish to acquire an understanding of its work and gain professional
experience. http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000306
International traineeship Programmes
AIESEC International Traineeship Exchange Programme
AIESEC offers the opportunity to live and work in a foreign country in areas of management, information
technology, education, and development. This programme is for students and recent graduates of
institutions of higher education who are interested in world issues, leadership and management.
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http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000105
Traineeships at the European Free Trade Association – EFTA
The Secretariat of the European Free Trade Association offers twice a year traineeships to nationals of the
Member States of EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000320
European training Programmes
Translation training placements at the European Parliament
Opportunity to undertake translation training placements to applicants who have obtained a secondaryschool leaving certificate or who have followed a higher or technical course of study to an equivalent level.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000560
Training placements at the European Parliament
Opportunities for young people who have a secondary-school leaving certificate (obtained before the
deadline for applications) corresponding to the level required for entry to university, or who have completed
a higher or technical course to an equivalent level.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000631
Training Programmes at the European Space Agency
A variety of training opportunities for young nationals from ESA Member States and Cooperating States.
http://eurodesk.eu/deadline-reminder?program=EU0010000151
SALTO Network
SALTO (Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities) Resource Centres provide training and
cooperation opportunities aiming at quality improvement and recognition of non-formal learning.
https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/eeca/eecacooperation/SALTONetwork
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Resources
InternsGoPro
Website of the 1st Europe-wide movement for Quality Internships & First Jobs. It aims to improve the rights
and working conditions of interns across the European Union.
http://internsgopro.com
UMultirank
U-Multirank can help you find universities that meet your needs and compare them. Use the following
steps to narrow down your choice to only the universities that match with what you want.
http://www.umultirank.org/#!/home?trackType=home
Graduateland Portal
A career portal for students and graduates offering jobs, internships, and graduate programmes.
http://graduateland.com Masters portal
For those willing to pursue postgraduate study abroad, the portal offers a wide variety of offers.
http://www.mastersportal.eu
ECSO Portal
Launched by the European Commission, the portal offers a multilingual classification of occupations, skills,
competences and qualifications. Its objective is to help jobseekers and employers to match skills to jobs.
The portal is targeted to learners, workers and businesses.
Find out more: https://ec.europa.eu/esco
European Platform on Learning Mobility in the Youth Field
An open participatory space for exchange and cooperation between practitioners, researchers and policy
makers.
http://tinyurl.com/ozj7fvs
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Further reading
Green Paper: "Promoting the Learning Mobility of Young People' (European Commission 2009)
The Green Paper seeks to promote organised learning mobility, meaning that mobility should be linked to
specific learning outcomes and lead to the attainment of qualifications, credits and/or professional
experience; It promotes mobility across sectors, as well as cross-sector movements (from e.g. world of
education to the world of business, or from vocational education to academia, or vice versa). It focuses on
physical mobility, however at the same time recognising the value of virtual mobility.
According to the paper, there are numerous studies (see footnote 2 of the Green Paper) that confirm that
learning mobility adds to human capital by giving young people the opportunity of accessing new
knowledge and of developing new linguistic skills and intercultural competences. There is also evidence
that employers recognise and value these skills. As for the impact at the systemic level, a study (footnote 3
of the Green Paper) showed how the Erasmus programme has helped higher education institutions
improve the quality of their teaching and services and become more European and international.
Furthermore, learning mobility adds to human capital by giving young people the opportunity of accessing
new knowledge and of developing new linguistic skills and intercultural competences. There is also
evidence
that
employers
recognise
and
value
these
skills.
http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2009:0329:FIN:EN:PDF
Council Recommendation ‘Youth on the move’ – promoting the learning mobility of young people (2011)
Recommendation adopted by the Council on promoting the learning mobility of young people, which forms
part of the Europe 2020 flagship initiative Youth on the Move. Learning mobility, i.e. transnational mobility
for the purpose of acquiring new skills, is one of the fundamental ways in which individuals, particularly
young people, can strengthen their future employability, as well as their personal development. The
recommendation encourages member states to take appropriate steps in order to remove inter alia
administrative and institutional obstacles, which are still impeding progress in this area. At the same time, it
fully respects member states' competences and responsibilities under national and European legislation.
http://tinyurl.com/lrbb4nd
Employers’ Guide to Quality Internships (European Youth Forum 2015)
Published by the European Youth Forum, the guide is aimed at employers who are interested in setting up
internship schemes or who would like to improve the internship opportunities they offer to young people.
The guide is the outcome of a collaborative project, led by the European Youth Forum and other employers
and employer organisations.
http://bit.ly/1MxhV6F
Student Guidebook: Studying and Training Abroad (ESN 2014)
Published by the Erasmus Student Network, the guide is addressed to Erasmus students and aims to
explain the different opportunities to go abroad and the rights and obligations as Erasmus students. It also
gives guidance on what and when students need to prepare to get full recognition of their studies abroad.
http://bit.ly/ZhUlJI
ESN STORY Policy Recommendations
Booklet listing recommendation to stakeholders regarding quality traineeships.
https://esn.org/story
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